MARAWI CITY (PIA) — Communities along the Agus River in the Lanao provinces are expected to benefit from a new partnership between the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to support the management of the Agus River Basin.
MENRE Minister Akmad Brahim and NWRB Executive Director Attorney Ricky Arzado signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on May 8, 2025, in Quezon City to begin a ten-month Comprehensive Water Resources Assessment (CWRA) of the Agus River Basin.
The river, which flows from Lake Lanao through Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, supports agriculture, power generation, and domestic water use.
The CWRA will run from March to December and will collect data to support local policies on water use, conservation, and climate response.
“This joint assessment marks a crucial step forward for the Bangsamoro Government which aims to inform future policies on water allocation, conservation, and climate resilience,” said Brahim.
The study will assess water quality and quantity, usage trends, development activities, and climate projections.
“It will provide the baseline data we need to craft sustainable, evidence-based plans, reinforce our regulatory frameworks, and manage our water resources with greater transparency and effectiveness,” Brahim added.
MENRE will coordinate and monitor the initiative through its Environmental Management Services. The study will cover communities in Lanao del Norte and over 30 municipalities in Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City.
NWRB will provide technical oversight, with CEST, Inc. as the consulting partner. The project includes training MENRE staff in water resource management.
MENRE said the assessment reflects its effort to support science-based, inclusive water governance in BARMM. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
